Author Archives: mike

McLaren Vale’s Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard: 2014 Releases

Posted on September 22, 2017 by mike

We recently had the opportunity to taste the 2014 releases of the Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard in McLaren Vale.   The four wines reviewed here showed very well  just as they did in the 2013 vintage, which we also tasted.   The wines … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz | Leave a comment

Pellegrini Wine Company: Russian River Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Posted on September 17, 2017 by mike

This is our first acquaintance with the wines of Pellegrini, a family owned and operated wine company which began operations in Sonoma County after Prohibition.  In 1973 the family purchased a 70 acre plum and apple orchard on West Olivet … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rombauer Vineyards: Noteworthy Single Vineyard Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons

Posted on September 1, 2017 by mike

Rombauer Vineyards has been making wine in Napa Valley for more than 35 years. Established in 1980, it is owned and operated by the Koerner  family. Beginning operations  at Shafer Vineyards and other wineries, they later constructed their own winery in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Wines of Anton Bauer

Posted on August 13, 2017 by mike

Anton Bauer, is a highly successful Austrian family winery in Wagram.  It is managed by 4th generation winemaker Anton Bauer who is a graduate of the School of Wine and Fruit Growing in Krems, Lower Austira, and has spent four … Continue reading →

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Selections from Sarah’s Vineyard, Santa Clara Valley , 2013-2015

Posted on August 3, 2017 by mike

 Sarah’s Vineyard was founded in  1978.  It is tucked away in the southwestern part of the Santa Clara Valley where a coastal micro climate provides ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  The vineyard is situated on a south-facing slope … Continue reading →

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Gary Farrell: New Releases 2015-2016 Russian River Valley

Posted on July 5, 2017 by mike

These new releases from the Gary Farrell Winery are mainly from the 2015 vintage, which was another great year for the winery and Russian River Valley. While the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay crops were small to moderate in size, the quality … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Stinson Vineyards of Virginia: New Releases

Posted on July 3, 2017 by mike

We are pleased to have the opportunity to review Stinson Vineyards’ new releases.  We have been tasting their wines over the past four years and have been increasingly impressed with the improvements in quality and their experimentation with new varieties.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Red Wine, Rosé, White Wine | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Smith-Madrone: Current Releases from Spring Mountain District Napa Valley

Posted on June 30, 2017 by mike

Smith-Madrone is a small winery located in the Spring Mountain District of Napa Valley.  Founded in 1971 by Stuart Smith, managing partner and enologist, the winery’s vineyards, which are part of a 200-acre ranch sit at between 1,300 and 2,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Red Wine, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gary Farrell Winery: More New Releases from the 2014 Vintage in Russian River Valley

Posted on May 10, 2017 by mike

Here are more stunning releases from the 2014 vintage by Gary Farrell Winery.   The 2014 vintage in Russian River Valley was one of the finest in recent memory, notwithstanding the continuation of drought conditions.  Many of the vineyards experienced lower … Continue reading →

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Enkidu Winery: New Releases

Posted on May 3, 2017 by mike

Enkidu is a small artisanal winery owned and operated by Phil Staehle.  It produces a wide variety of handcrafted wines of high quality and originality from its custom crush facility in Sonoma,  sourcing grapes from top vineyards such as Bedrock … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment